Tonight’s concert event featured the legendary rock band Journey, who has put together a career spanning 30 years. Originally founded in 1973 around former Santana members Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie, the group moved from a progressive jazz-rock group to a power rock band with the impressive Steve Perry handling the vocals on some of Journeys more popular releases in the late ’70s, ’80s and into the ’90s.

The line-up has evolved over the years, with Neal Schon being the core band member in each variation of the band. Today the group consists of Neal Schon (g), Jonathan Cain (k), Ross Valory (b), Dean Castronovo (d) and Steve Augeri (v). Their road show is a 3-hour extravaganza that explores the groups music from their progressive instrumental period, through the Steve Perry era and on into the Steve Augeri era.

Opening the set, Journey reached way back into the archives, introducing fans to the more experimental side of the band pre-Steve Perry. The band progressed through several songs unknown to me. Neal Schon performance was a major highlight on these early tunes, showing the band’s ability to perform intricate progressive rock. Steve Augeri participated by playing rhythm guitar on several of these songs.

Eventually Journey found their way into the late ’70s. Performing hits from that era which included; “Feeling That Way Too,” “Anytime,” “Any Way You want It,” “Be Good To Yourself” and “Only the Young.” With over an hour of music played the band broke for an intermission break.

After the break, Journey launched into a new song from their new CD titled Generations, “Faith in the Heartland.” Followed up by Neal Schon performing the “Star Spangled Banner” on guitar, this has been done know by quite a few guitarists, starting with Hendrix in the late ’60s. Still, it was very a cool rendition. Augeri poured out his best Perry imitation on “Stone In Love,” “Ask the Lonely” and “Wheel In the Sky.” Augeri obviously is not Perry but he can imitate him to a certain point. Augeri, though, lacks the same power in delivery and pronunciation.

Next up was a Schon tribute to Hendrix with a melody that included an intro of “Purple Haze,” a large portion of “Voodoo Chile” and ended with “Third Stone From the Sun.” Schon was joined by Ross Valory (b) and Dean Castronovo (d). The interlude was a really dynamic and cool tribute to one of the originators and masters of the electric guitar.

The rest of the group rejoined Schon, Valory and Castronovo for the Journey classic hit which included “Lights.” The live rendition was great; the audience really got into this track and the band a cool visual display going on throughout the song. The next song was the bluesy song "Walks Like a Lady,” with Valory on vocals. The tempo of this song changed the momentum of the set as the group where building up to a great climax.

They took the air out of the sails and began the process of the buildup again with another new song called “Every Generation.” From there the group headed straight back into more classic Journey. Hits like “Who’s Crying Now?,” “Open Arms,” “Faithfully,” “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Separate Ways” reenergized the band’s set list and the audience as well.

Closing the set with “Separate Ways,” Journey left the stage after a nearly 3 hour performance. Everyone at Verizon new that Journey wasn’t done and began calling the group’s name even before everyone was off the stage. So the typical 6 or 7 minute wait began as the fans continued to call out for the return of Journey to the stage.

As the band returned the crowd stepped it up with cheers of enthusiasm. The band started into what sounded like a blues jam that led into the intro for another classic song “Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'.” With that Journey wrapped up the evening. Surprisingly this was the only encore song.

And so the band left the stage for the final time. I believe the fans got more than they expected. Although many would want the return of Steve Perry, Augeri did a fine job. Til’ next time …

 

 

 

Set List:
Feeling That Way To – Anytime– Any Way You Want It – Be Good To Yourself – Only the Young
Intermission
Faith In the Heartland – Neal Schon guitar solo Star Spangled Banner – Stone In Love – Ask The Lonely – Wheel In the Sky – Neal Schon Hendrix tribute Purple Haze - Voodoo Chile - 3rd Stone from the Sun melody – Lights – Walks Like a Lady – Every Generation – Who’s Crying Now? – Open Arms – Escape – Out of Harms Way – Faithfully – Don’t Stop Believing – Separate Ways
Encore: Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'